CHAPTER 23

Liana's Pov 

The message came in just after 11:30 p.m., lighting up my phone's screen from its place beside me on the nightstand.

It's exactly who you think it is. Meet me at the usual place by 10 a.m. tomorrow.

My heart skipped. My breath caught.

Exactly who I thought it was? I sat up in bed, rereading the message as though the words would shift into something more coherent. But it was too vague. Too specific and that only made it more intriguing. 

Dominic? It couldn't be. Well, it could. He had been my prime suspect all along but hearing a confirmation made it slap harder. 

I stared at the screen for what felt like an eternity, my brain swirling like smoke—I remembered the look on his face at the gala, his trying to get my attention at the event the other night, the leaked picture,everything in me agreed Dominic Smith was the center of it all. 

My mind traveled to the ususal place, the gloomy, out-of-the-way café. The one with the creaking sign and the bitter coffee. The one I always used for meetings I didn't want traced.

I set the phone down slowly, heart pounding, lips curling into the faintest smile. "Alright then," I whispered to the silence of my bedroom. "Let's see what she's really got."

Sleep came in fits that night. I tossed, turned, imagined every situation possible: Dominic wearing a hoodie, Audrey attempting a stunt, a new player in the picture. But one thing was certain—I'd be there.

……..

Saturday morning broke with soft sunlight and the smell of pancakes.

I padded into the kitchen in my robe, welcomed by the sweet, syrupy sound of my son's laughter. Cam was perched on the counter with my mom, making pancakes while he "taste-tested" each one like a tiny food critic.

"Morning, sunshine," my mom said, giving me a knowing smile.

"Morning, Mom. Morning, Cam."

"Mama, I gave Grandma a ten out of ten for her chocolate chips," Cam proudly announced.

"Just a ten?" I teased, ruffling his curls as I snagged a slice of pancake from his plate. "They're worth a twenty."

The three of us laughed, and for a few moments, the reality of the message last night was relegated to the background.

I sat and ate with them, reveling in the normalcy. Cam showed me the picture she'd drawn, a rocket ship flying to the moon, and I was apparently the captain. I kissed her forehead and promised we'd make a spaceship together when I got back.

At 9:15, I stood up from the table and gave my mom a look.

"I have somewhere to be," I said, low but firm.

She didn't question. She just nodded, as usual, interpreting my silence as a second language.

"Be careful," she whispered.

"Always."

By 9:55, I was at the café.

I chose our usual table- back corner, dim lighting, concealed from view by an overgrown indoor plant that no one ever trimmed. I ordered a black coffee, for the sake of it, and curled my hands around the warm cup, monitoring the entrance like a hawk.

At exactly 10:02, the bell above the door jingled.

Someone entered in a black hoodie and sunglasses. Subdued, but deliberate.

She came straight to my table.

"Liana."

My spine tensed. My jaw tightened. “Good to see you again."

She pulled the hoodie down slightly and slipped into the seat across from me, pushing her glasses low enough for me to catch the spark in her eyes.

"You got the message," she said.

"I did. You said it's who I suspect it is."

A wry smile spread across her mouth. "And I wasn't wrong."

She leaned in. "It's Dominic. It's been him all along. He was on the phone last night. I overheard him accidentally. He was tense. Enraged. On the phone with someone who was clearly putting the screws to him. He told them he wouldn't pay, that the person didn't have the nerve to reveal him. But he's scared, Liana. Truly scared. And whoever he hired… they're increasing the pressure.".

A shiver gripped my spine. I breathed in slowly, forcing my voice to remain calm. "You're sure about what you headd?"

"I'm very sure. I heard him." She leaned forward."

My mind exploded with understanding. It all made sense. Andrea's impromptu sickness, her attitude and words after I confronted her. She really did mean when she said she was just the message. 

“And there's more.” She said bringing me back to reality. “I found some implicating papers and evidence of fraud in his office. I didn't come with them but they are safely hidden in the house.”

I smiled, slowly. "Thank you, Serena. You've done more than you know."

"You won't regret partnering with me," she said, eyes unwavering

"Just keep the papers secure. Bring them next time. And be careful."

"I will." We both stood simultaneously. She left first and then I followed shortly after. 

I was walking to my vehicle when my phone beeped. The message had no name on it. 

Three photos. 

A burner phone. A transfer receipt. A voice recording transcript. 

AUDREY: Your time is up. Since you've refused to pay, I'm going to talk

DOMINIC: You wouldn't dare. 

AUDREY: Watch me.

Audrey's voice, as clear as day, threatening to expose him if he didn't pay. And that was unmistakably Dominic's voice. 

I just stood there frozen by my car, heart pounding. It was all there. Every piece. I finally had him.

Dominic Smith was going to regret ever thinking he could ruin me and walk away clean.

I vowed to myself.

And then just as I looked up, I noticed a figure across the street, watching 

The man was all man and hooded. Face obscured.

Immediately our eyes met, he turned away, disappearing into the alley.

My blood ran cold.